Last week I wrote about people in need and people who panhandle for money. It's like every time I turn around, there is someone asking for change. Why, I even had a guy approach my vehicle and ask me for money when I was at a complete stop and had my window down. Then the manager of the McDonald's came out and chased him away from the drive-thru.

Anyway, I was driving towards Orange Avenue on my way to the neighborhood center where I work, and I saw a man holding a piece of cardboard. His gray hair was long and unkempt with a beard to match, and his clothes looked unkempt as well. As I came up to the intersection where the man was standing, I read what he had written on the piece of cardboard he was holding out for motorists to see.

WHY LIE, ITS FOR BEER!

Truth in advertising! I have to give the guy credit for coming up with an honest approach.

He is still not getting my change, though.

Well folks, it's Friday, the end of the work week. Why does it seem like I have been busy since the Thanksgiving holiday?

Usualy, I look forward to Friday, even though I work on the weekend. Today, however, it just feels like another day. As if I cannot get excited about it because I have plenty to do. Shop for Christmas gifts. Send out Christmas cards. Laundry to do, bills to pay. Errands to run. And I am SINGLE!

How do any of you fellow bloggers who have children even manage? All of you have my respect.

Speaking of Christmas and children, the Spanish Club from the high school next to our community center had a Christmas party for underpriviledged children at our facility. The students set up tables and chairs, decorated our multi purpose room, had cake and drinks ready as well as a gift bag for each child, and had Santa ready to wish every child a Merry Christmas.

And the bus arrived late.

Why is it that everytime we have a function at our center, the bus is either late, or doesn't show at all. Since the bus was late, the children could do only so many activities due to time permitting.

Many of these children were probably looking forward to this all week.

I find that I am enjoying Christmas less each year. I don't know if it is the feeling of being overwhelmed because I am busy, or if it because I am by myself. Maybe it is because I can only do so much and feel like somehow I have failed someone. Such as the woman who pulled up in a car full of children while I was at a gas station filling up my truck and asked where a shelter for women and children was. And I didn't know.

It's the holidays, and this woman is trying to find shelter for her children because she left some asshole who was abusive to her and the children.

I will be going up to Atlanta to spend Christmas with my brother. At least I will be in a place where I know I am loved and wanted. And I could care less if I get a gift or not.

Some children may not get gifts. And some children may not even spend Christmas in a home because of some walking piece of drunken garbage.

Sorry for being down, but it's the way I feel. It's the holidays, and no one should have to go through this.

A few weeks ago, I was at McDonald's buying two breakfast sandwiches to take to work with me. As I got to my truck and got out my keys to open the door, a car pulled up with the passenger window down as the driver stopped. I looked over to the driver, wondering if he needed directions.

"Excuse me, but can you spare some change?", the driver asked. Before I could even answer, he started to beg, pleading that he needed money for gas. I told him that I did not have any change to spare, and he drove off.

Last week, I went to a holiday lunch that the city was providing for their employees. It was held at the arena, which is next to the offices for the recreation department. That is the department I work for.

After lunch, I went over to the pottery studio at the recreation department to get some information about sessions. I used to throw pottery along time ago, and I am interested in getting back into it. As I was leaving the studio, I walked out into the parking lot towards my truck.

"How are you today?", I heard as I was walking through the parking lot. I look over to my right, and here is this guy carrying a jacket.

"Excuse me, do you..."

"Sorry, I don't have any change.", I told him. At first, he acts offended that I would think that he was going to hit me up for money, then he tells me that he was going to ask for some spare change because he had an interview and needed money for the bus. And as I walked to my truck, he continued talking to me. Sorry, but no change.

Last night, I worked my part-time job at the theme park, and I was getting ready to change out of my uniform at the end of my shift. As I walked in to the locker room, an employee I do not even know said hello. I acknowledged him and said hello, only to get the following reply....

"Excuse me, can you spare a few bucks?"

What do I look like, a fucking ATM?

What is it with people you don't even know asking you for money. And then they act like you owe them. I am having financial problems as it is, and no one is helping me. I am working two jobs, trying to make ends meet, and I got people I'm just suppose to give money to?

Remind me to check the mirror to see if there is an ATM sign on my head.

Here I am, back to work on this week after Thanksgiving. The city is having a holiday luncheon for its employees this afternoon, so the work day will be a slow one. I have my work done for the day, so all I have to do is a few small projects before I leave for lunch.

Last Tuesday, I arrived at my brother's place in Canton, Georgia around 9:00p.m. My niece and nephew stayed up until I arrived, then they went to bed. I sat up and had a few drinks with my brother and sister-in-law, then we said our good nights.

The following Wednesday, my brother had to work a half day, and my sister-in-law took my niece to the doctors to get two shots of antibiotics. The girl is always sick! Especially around the holidays or when the family goes on vacation.

That left me with my nephew, so that means only one thing. A trip to the cinema!

We went to see Happy Feet, and both of us enjoyed it. It has its messages about environmental issues, but the movie is very entertaining. Watching penguins dance around to songs from the 70s will make any adult laugh.

As for Thanksgiving Day, a friend of my brother invited us over to dinner. My brother's friends live in Tampa Bay, but have family who live outside of Atlanta. We had a great time, plenty of cocktails, and a great dinner. My sister-in-law made this sweet potato souffle that was delicious. There was a scare earlier in the day when the bottle of vodka ran out, but fortunately, there was a back up chilling in the freezer. Good thing I was drinking beer.

The following Friday, the weather was beautiful. We wanted to go to the Georgia Aquarium, but reservations were full. We then decided to go to the Atlanta Zoo. That was a laugh. If the animals were not asleep, they were nowhere to be around. They must have had a rough Thanksgiving. Later that evening, we met up with my two nieces for dinner. They are my brother's daughters from his previous marriage. If you are in Atlanta and are looking for good Mexican food, try El Jinete. The pollo loco is the best!

Anyway, I had to leave Saturday as my nephew and niece left with their mother to see Santa at the mall. My brother was making space in the living room for the . It's that time of year, already.

Which brings me back to Orlando waiting for the holiday luncheon to start. I wonder what will be served? With the 18% raise the members of city council gave themselves, we should be able to get a few crumbs.

I guess I will now be in holiday mode, so that means that I should be in a good mood. And on Christmas day, I will be able to make another trip up to Atlanta to spend time with my family. I can hardly wait.

This time, I'll remember to bring up a bottle of vodka for backup.